Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders roll out "Farm On" program

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[February 29, 2016]    The Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders have been working on a program aimed at a potential issue right here in Logan County. Area farmers are the life blood of the local economy. They pump large amounts of funds into the economy and provide multiple jobs that trickle through the entire community.

Equipment dealers, mechanics, welders, feed mill employees, elevator employees, seed dealers, seed packagers, cob plant employees, fertilizer retailers, veterinarians, tax and accounting services, banks, auto dealers, and even businesses such as local restaurants are impacted by farmers.

A growing concern is the age of the farming community. The 2011 Annual Bulletin states the average age of the Illinois farmer is 56.2. This number has been on a steady incline over the last 75 years. Across the country there has been a 30% increase of farmers over the age of 75 and a 20% decrease in the number of farmers under the age of 25.(Source www.start2farm.gov ) These numbers are staggering and cause for concern.

This raises the question of what happens when a farmer retires. In the past, the farm was typically passed to a family member to take over. While this still happens on a regular basis today, more and more frequently there is not someone of the next generation ready to take on the responsibility of the farm. Many times the assets are sold on auction and the farmland is either rented to a neighbor or often times rented or sold to the highest bidder.

To combat this dissolution of the midsize family farm the Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leader group has delivered a program called “Farm On”. The idea of the Farm On program is to inform retiring farmers of local young men and women who have interest in production agriculture. The hope is that one of these young people could be a potential suitor for the transition of the operation in question.

This transition could consist of anything from a one-time buyout to a partnership that evolves over time. The Young Leaders have created a database with applications submitted by these aspiring young farmers. Their information has been collected and compiled at the Logan County Farm Bureau office. The applicants may or may not already be farming, but they all have a desire to farm. Each applicant has demonstrated their sincere interest by submitting a $50.00 application fee.

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Local producers who may be considering retirement are encouraged to come in and view the applications. If the retiring farmer finds someone they feel is a good “match” the program would bring them together to see if there is potential for a future transition.

The goal of the program is to ensure that production agriculture continues to thrive in Logan County and surrounding communities. It opens the door of opportunity to young aspiring farmers while providing retiring farmers a new option for the future of their farm.

If you would like to start farming or if you are considering an exit strategy from farming please contact the Farm Bureau office in Lincoln today and ask about “Farm On”. Phone: 217-732-7326 All calls will be kept confidential.

[Matt Wrage, Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders]

 

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